Chapter 1

What is forensic and criminal

psychology?
Overview
• Strictly speaking, forensic psychology is psychology applied to the work of courts of law. However, nowadays
the term is used rather more generally to include all aspects of the criminal justice system.
• The term ‘forensic and criminal psychology’ is used in this book to encompass the very wide field of psychology
applied to the law, legal system, victims and law breakers.
• Although both involve the understanding of human nature, the disciplines of psychology and the law can
be incompatible. Even when lawyers and psychologists use identical words, they may intend very different
meanings.
• Many practitioner-researchers work in the field of forensic and criminal psychology, and the twin skills of
‘practitioner’ and ‘researcher’ contribute substantially to progress in the field.
• Historical interpretations of forensic and criminal psychology depend much more on the finishing point than
the starting point. Clinically based practitioners, for example, may see the history more in terms of how
concepts of mental illness and other vulnerabilities have developed within the legal system and the need
for experts in these fields to advise the court. On the other hand, academic psychologists may see the history
as lying in the work of European and US academics around the start of the twentieth century.
• Interest in forensic and criminal psychology was at best spasmodic and minimal until the late twentieth
century when growth became rapid. Its history can be traced back several centuries to when crucial legal
changes occurred which demanded psychological expertise.
• Forensic and criminal psychology now constitutes an important branch of modern psychology and benefits
greatly from developments across the whole world. It unites psychologists from a variety of fields of psychology,
though it can now be regarded as a specialism in its own right.

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What is forensic and criminal psychology?

Introduction as prisons and the police service. The work of psycholo-

gists in such settings is clearly relevant to courts of law,
though they may only rarely, if ever, work directly in
As with many aspects of psychology, providing a concise
courts. Currently, forensic psychology is defined in terms
definition of forensic and criminal psychology can be prob-
of activities beyond courts of law. For example, the British
lematic. Forensic psychology literally is psychology to do
Psychological Society extends the definition to include
with courts of law. The words ‘forensic’ and ‘forum’ have
much of the criminal justice system beyond courts of law.
the same Latin origins. A ‘forum’ is merely a room for
Indeed, the British Psychological Society does not men-
public debate, such as a court of law, hence the word
tion courts of law currently:
‘forensic’. Criminal psychology is easier to define since it
is mainly to do with psychological aspects of criminal Forensic psychology deals with the psychological
behaviour, such as the origins and development of crimi- aspects of legal processes, including applying theory to
nality. Defining forensic psychology is problematic since it criminal investigations, understanding psychological
is applied far more widely than courts of law and includes problems associated with criminal behaviour, and the
all aspects of the criminal justice system, including prisons treatment of criminals.
and policing. The law deals with virtually every aspect of British Psychological Society (2017)
life and forensic and criminal psychology reflects this
In much the same way, the Australian Psychological
diversity. In court it is likely that psychologists, no matter
Society defines forensic psychology such that the focus is
what their specialism, will be asked to provide expert psy-
not primarily on courts of law but much wider – for
chological evidence on all sorts of matters. Which begs the
example the areas of prison and other forms of correction,
question of when is and when is not a psychologist a foren-
the police, and so forth:
sic and criminal psychologist? Currently, many psycholo-
gists work primarily in the criminal justice system (i.e. Forensic psychologists are scientist-practitioners. They
police, criminal courts and prisons). Should they all be apply psychological knowledge, theory and skills to the
classified as forensic psychologists? understanding and functioning of legal and criminal
Definitions of terms like ‘forensic psychology’ have justice systems, and to conducting research in relevant
changed somewhat over the years. For example, in the 1980s areas. They often work in criminal, civil and family
and 1990s when the field was beginning its rapid expansion, legal contexts and provide services for litigants, perpe-
some influential psychologists defined forensic psychology trators, victims, and personnel of government and com-
in terms of the professional activities of practitioners work- munity organisations.
ing primarily or almost exclusively in law courts. Gudjonsson Australian Psychological Society (2017)
and Haward (1998) were proponents of such a viewpoint
when they defined ‘forensic psychology’ as: Although its language is not quite so direct, the American
Psychological Association takes a fairly similar stance:
. . . that branch of applied psychology which is con-
cerned with the collection, examination and presenta- . . . forensic psychology refers to professional practice by
tion of evidence for judicial purposes. (p. 1) any psychologist working within any sub-discipline of
psychology (e.g., clinical, developmental, social, cogni-
Crucial to this definition is the use of the terms ‘evidence’ tive) when applying the scientific, technical, or special-
and ‘judicial’. Whether or not they intended this, ized knowledge of psychology to the law to assist in
Gudjonsson and Haward appear to limit forensic psychol- addressing legal, contractual, and administrative matters.
ogy to legal evidence for the use of lawyers and judges. American Psychological Association (2017)
Moreover, the phrase ‘judicial purposes’ seems to be con-
ceived no more widely than the purposes of courts of law. The value of these wider definitions of forensic psychol-
Others at the same time also defined forensic psychology ogy is obvious when one considers the sorts of work that
as referring to the work of psychologists working in close psychologists do. Wrightsman (2001) mentions the fol-
collaboration with officials of the court: lowing as some of the things done by psychologists in the
context of the law:
[forensic psychology is] the provision of psychological
information for the purpose of facilitating a legal decision. • A mediator psychologist employed by a law firm to
mediate between parties in an attempt to resolve legal
(Blackburn, 1996: 7) disputes.
These are narrow and specific definitions – nowadays a • A social psychologist dealing with civil cases such as
broader approach is taken. Such narrow definitions exclude commercial litigation. The psychologist conducts sur-
much of the criminal justice system of which the courts veys of roleplaying ‘jurors’ in order to assess what
are just part – and make no reference to other settings such might work in a real trial.

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 Introduction

• A counselling psychologist who works on the assess- • A sufficiently detailed understanding of the psychology
ment of potentially violent behaviours for the US secret relevant to the following individuals, including adults
service. For example, threats of violence are often and children where appropriate:
made to the national leaders – which ones are to be • offenders (whether or not mentally disordered);
taken seriously? • victims;
• A correctional psychologist who assesses the compe- • witnesses;
tence of prisoners to stand trial and makes suggestions • investigators.
about possible treatments for particular offenders. • An understanding of the practical aspects of forensic
• A clinical psychologist in private practice. This psy- psychology in terms of the following:
chologist works as a consultant to police departments. • different demands for assessment;
The list deals solely with practitioners and does not men- • processes of investigation, prosecution and defence;
tion researchers in the field of forensic psychology. In • decision making in respect of innocence, guilt, sen-
addition, it should be stressed that these examples are not tencing, custody, treatment and rehabilitation;
very representative of the work of the majority of psy- • approaches to assessment;
chologists who claim the title. • professional criteria for report production and giving
Once one could find suggestions that the definition of of testimony.
forensic psychology lacked consensus (e.g. McGuire, • This is combined with an additional requirement of
1997) or that the use of the term ‘forensic’ was disorderly having had extensive practical experience in at least
and chaotic (Stanik, 1992). Currently, as we have seen, one area of forensic psychology (pp. 7–8).
there seems to be much more consensus. Along with this,
the organisational infrastructure of forensic psychology Underlying this list one perhaps can discern the view that
has become much more developed. It is important to dif- the education and training of all psychologists working in
ferentiate between the field of forensic psychology and the forensic field needs to be broad, encompassing a wide
identifying who should be entitled to call themselves range of knowledge, skills and abilities. The range and
forensic psychologists. The first (establishing what foren- depth of the training of a forensic psychologist needs to be
sic is) is essentially addressed by all of the definitions comprehensive – it is not enough to know the minimum to
discussed so far. The question of who is qualified to call function on a day-to-day basis.
themselves a forensic psychologist needs to be approached Defining criminal psychology in contrast is not so prob-
in a different way. This involves identifying the nature of lematic. This is partly because it is not a title that is
the skills and knowledge required by anyone working in claimed by any significantly large or influential group of
the field, apart from a basic training in psychology itself. psychologists. Nevertheless, like forensic psychology,
In the United Kingdom, it has been suggested that forensic criminal psychology may be defined relatively narrowly or
psychologists (i.e. all chartered forensic psychologists) somewhat broadly. The narrow definition would merely
should possess the following knowledge and skills (DCLP suggest that it concerns all aspects of the psychology of
Training Committee, 1994). The list would probably be the criminal. A difficulty with this is that it seems to con-
much the same elsewhere in the world, though the precise centrate solely on the offender. Does it or should it also
mix of skills would vary according to the area of practice include psychological aspects of the wider experience of
within the field of forensic psychology: the criminal, for example, in courts of law or prison?
Criminality, as we shall see, is not a characteristic of indi-
• An understanding of the conceptual basis of their work viduals that can be separated meaningfully from the social
context in terms of: context of crime and the criminal justice system. Thus the
• the psychology relevant to the study of criminal field of criminal psychology must be defined in terms of
behaviour; knowledge and skills which substantially overlap those of
• the legal framework including the law and structure the forensic psychologist described above. Indeed, one
of the criminal justice system, for example, of the might suggest that the main difference between the two is
country in which they practise. that forensic psychology may involve the civil law as well
as the criminal law. The use of the phrase ‘forensic and
• An understanding of the achievements and potential criminal psychology’ in this book tacitly acknowledges
achievements of the application of psychology to: problems in the definition of both ‘forensic’ and ‘criminal
• criminal investigation processes; psychology’. There is no rigid distinction between the
• legal processes; two. Forensic psychology and criminal psychology are to
• custodial processes; be regarded as inseparable rather than a marriage of two
• treatment processes (for both offenders and victims). distinct aspects of psychology.

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CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY AND

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY-
A VIEW
SUPRITHA.C.
Dr.K.S.NAGARAJA.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR,
DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINOLOGY AND FORENSIC SCIENCE,
GOVERNMENT FIRST GRADE COLLEGE, K R NAGARA

ABSTRACT

Criminal psychologists will often use their expertise to consult with law enforcement personnel on various
aspects of a case. Many people use the terms criminal and forensic psychologist interchangeably. People can
identify as one or the other and engage in the same duties. However, there are some relevant distinctions. If you are
talking about profiling a criminal that is likely the realm of criminal psychology. Most assessment is done by a
forensic psychologist but it is not impossible for someone who identifies as a criminal psychologist to perform
testing. Criminal psychologists review a lot of research and data in determining the psychological makeup of
criminals but many people who conduct experimental research identify as forensic psychologists. Another
distinction is that forensic psychologists deal with all types of legal matters, including civil cases, while criminal
psychologists focus on criminal matters. One of the most common uses of forensic psychology is the psychological
assessment and evaluation of people who are involved with or affected by the legal system. This requires forensic
psychologists to be competent practitioners with superior clinical skills. Psychological evaluations are used when
people are tried for criminal allegations, apply to become foster parents, are considered for fitness for public office
or are considered for parole. Psychological evaluations are also part of determining the suitability of members of
the military and private sectors for access to high-level confidential material and much more. The vast majority of
forensic psychologists are not criminal investigators. Criminal psychology and forensic psychology have a great
deal in common when it comes to the education, skills and training both disciplines use. The purpose and goal of
each discipline is the most important. Criminal psychology always concerns situations where a crime has taken
place. Criminal psychologists discover a perpetrator’s motives, build a profile of that perpetrator and seek to serve
the interests of the justice system, as relates to that specific crime and perpetrator.

KEYWORDS-CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY, FORENSIC, APA, TESTOMONY, Hugo Munsterberg.

INTRODUCTION
Criminal psychology is the study of the thoughts and behavior of criminals. It answers the question: why do
criminals do what they do?
The study of criminal psychology has been glorified in TV shows like Criminal Minds and CSI.
As we well know, what we see on TV does not always reflect the reality of life. Let’s examine the study
of criminal psychology and see what it entails.
What Does a Criminal Psychologist Do?
Profiling
Yes, criminal psychologists can be profilers, helping agencies create a psychological profile to help
apprehend suspects. Unlike what you see on TV, however, a psychologist is unlikely to go with police to confront
suspects and a high profile serial murderer only comes along once in a blue moon.
Although a criminal psychologist may visit a crime scene, they are more likely to spend time in an office
with case files or in a record room poring over analyses of possible suspects. A large part of criminal psychology is
looking over research and data relevant to cases. It can almost feel academic. Further, criminal profiling is only one
possible aspect of their many duties.

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Consultation
Criminal psychologists will often use their expertise to consult with law enforcement personnel on various
aspects of a case. For example, they can help them ask appropriate questions during interrogation or give relevant
information to help guide their investigation.
Assessment
Assessment is another critical aspect of criminal psychology. Performing psychological testing to
determine a suspect’s state of mind is an integral part of the adjudication process.
For instance, a psychologist may have to determine whether a suspect is in a stable mental state to stand
trial or if they have the personality characteristics to fit the alleged crime.
Research
Criminal psychologists may conduct research that has far-reaching practical implications on the study of
criminology and the legal process.
For example, psychologists have performed research on memory, eyewitness testimony, evidence
collection, and confessions that have impacted how law enforcement professionals and lawyers proceed in criminal
legal cases.
Court Testimony
Criminal psychologists often have to appear in court to provide expert witness testimony. There are
psychologists whose entire practice is based on giving their expert opinion.
They base their judgments on testing they have conducted or through analyzing assessments and evidence
provided by other professionals.
Psychotherapy
A criminal psychologist may also be asked to provide psychotherapy for people that have committed
crimes. Their role is to help their clients cope with the consequences of criminal behavior and assist them in their
rehabilitation so they can be productive members of society.
Teaching
A criminal psychologist can teach at the college level within a psychology or criminal justice department.
Further, they can teach courses or present seminars at law enforcement training facilities, such as those run by a
federal agency (e.g., the DEA) or the police.
Criminal vs. Forensic Psychology
Many people use the terms criminal and forensic psychologist interchangeably. People can identify as one
or the other and engage in the same duties. However, there are some relevant distinctions.
If you are talking about profiling a criminal that is likely the realm of criminal psychology. Most
assessment is done by a forensic psychologist but it is not impossible for someone who identifies as a criminal
psychologist to perform testing.
Criminal psychologists review a lot of research and data in determining the psychological makeup of
criminals but many people who conduct experimental research identify as forensic psychologists.
Another distinction is that forensic psychologists deal with all types of legal matters, including civil cases,
while criminal psychologists focus on criminal matters.

Where Do Criminal Psychologists Work And What Do They Earn?

Criminal psychologists usually split their time between an office and court but can also spend some time in the field,
in settings like crime scenes and jails. Some work directly for government agencies, such as the police or FBI.
Others have their own practice and work as consultants to lawyers and law-enforcement agencies. Many
are affiliated with universities. Criminal psychologists on average earn $93,440, which is more than most other
disciplines of psychology.
Their salary will largely depend on where they work and their specific duties. If they work directly for an
agency they are likely to earn less than as a private consultant. Additionally, someone providing assessment and
court testimony is likely to earn more than someone who primarily performs research.
How Does One Become a Criminal Psychologist?
First, you need to obtain an undergraduate degree, preferably in psychology. Next, you need to seek
graduate education.

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A minimum undergraduate GPA over 3.0 (and likely much higher) is probably needed to gain entry to a
graduate program. Please note that criminal psychology is not recognized as an area of specialization by the
American Psychological Association (APA).
That means you are not going to be able to receive an APA approved graduate degree in criminal
psychology.
However, you can receive an APA approved degree in forensic psychology. If you do not enter a forensic
psychology program, it is recommended that you get a degree in clinical psychology and then specialize in
criminology or forensics.
Although you can find work with a master’s degree, finding a job as a criminal psychologist usually
requires a doctorate.
Famous People In The Field Of Criminal Psychology
Although most criminal psychologists work behind the scenes, a few have gained notoriety for their role in
apprehending high profile criminals or their contributions to criminal psychology.
It should be noted that although not all of the following people are criminal psychologists by education,
they all have performed or currently perform work consistent with a criminal psychologist.

Hugo Munsterberg
Munsterberg was an early pioneer in the field of criminal psychology. At the turn of the 20th century,
Munsterberg published On The Witness Stand, a collection of essays which pointed out the inherent lack of
reliability in witness testimony.
Munsterberg revealed how psychological variables can interfere with people providing evidence in trials.
The study of eyewitness testimony has continued in psychology with the work of noted researcher
Elizabeth Loftus, among others. Munsterberg is also credited as one of the first people to study the importance of
jury selection.
Thomas Bond
Thomas Bond is widely believed to be the first criminal profiler. He was a physician who examined the
evidence of victims believed to be killed by Jack the Ripper. Based on his investigation, he made certain conclusions
about the psychological and physical makeup of the murderer.
David Canter
David Canter helped British police solve the famous Railway Rapist case in the 1980s. He is believed to be
the first person to use profiling to solve murders in England.
He is also credited with creating investigative psychology, which combines psychological profiling with
evidence derived from empirical scientific study.
Saul Kassin
Kassin’s scientific studies of false confessions are now used internationally to determine the validity of
police interrogation and the confession process.
He is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Massachusetts
Professor Emeritus at Williams College, in Williamstown, MA.
John Douglas
John Douglas became famous working in the FBI’s serial crime unit. He was a profiler who worked on
several high profile serial killer cases, including the Atlanta Child Murders and the Green River Killer.
He was the model for Jack Crawford in Silence of the Lambs, a movie that spurred tremendous interest in
criminal psychology. The current Netflix series Mindhunter is base upon his work.
The Importance of Criminal Psychology
Crime is like a pebble in a pond, affecting a swath of people whenever it is perpetrated. Finding those
responsible and ensuring an accurate and ethical legal process has never been more critical.
Through their invaluable work, criminal psychologists assist law enforcement in apprehending responsible
parties and help further educate about the criminal mind.
Forensic psychology is a relatively young discipline that deals with the application of psychological
principles, practices and clinical specialties within the legal arena.
Recognized in 2001 by the American Psychological Association, forensic psychology combines aspects of
clinical psychology like counseling, interviews, evaluation, diagnosis and assessment with work inside the realm of
the law and justice system.
A broader, but still valid definition includes the use of other subfields and applications of psychology, like
social psychology and development psychology, for legal applications.

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Forensic psychology is used in police departments, law firms, schools, rehabilitation centers, private
practice and many other settings, but it isn’t used Forensic psychology is a broader and more diverse field than
criminal psychology.
Applications of Forensic Psychology
One of the most common uses of forensic psychology is the psychological assessment and evaluation of
people who are involved with or affected by the legal system. This requires forensic psychologists to be competent
practitioners with superior clinical skills.
Psychological evaluations are used when people are tried for criminal allegations, apply to become foster
parents, are considered for fitness for public office or are considered for parole.
Psychological evaluations are also part of determining the suitability of members of the military and private
sectors for access to high-level confidential material and much more.
Because forensic psychologists are trained in psychotherapy, they can provide one on one therapy, group
and individual therapy and family psychotherapy. They are also trained to conduct interventions and de-escalate
situations.
Forensic psychologists may work with patients within state or federal corrections systems, attorneys, offenders,
crime victims, families or defendants. These are some of the common activities performed by forensic
psychologists:
 Psychological competency evaluations
 One-on-one psychotherapy, often with the victims or survivors of crime
 Sentencing recommendations
 Risk evaluations for recidivism and re-offending
 Evaluations for child placement and custody hearings
 Expert witness testimony
 Academia, including research and publication
 Law enforcement consultation
 Treating offenders, inmates and parolees
 Treatment of criminal offenders
 Provide advice and expertise in litigation
 Psychological evaluations of applicants for law enforcement
 Trial consultants
CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY V/S FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
Due to the many television shows about criminal and forensic psychology, the precise scope of each
discipline has gotten thoroughly muddled in the general public’s mind. Although forensic psychology is sometimes
incorrectly thought of as synonymous with criminal psychology, the two are different fields for different purposes.
The vast majority of forensic psychologists are not criminal investigators. Criminal psychology and
forensic psychology have a great deal in common when it comes to the education, skills and training both disciplines
use.
The purpose and goal of each discipline is the most important. Criminal psychology always concerns
situations where a crime has taken place. Criminal psychologists discover a perpetrator’s motives, build a profile of
that perpetrator and seek to serve the interests of the justice system, as relates to that specific crime and perpetrator.
Forensic psychology involves a broader array of situations, many of which don’t involve crime at
all. Forensic psychologists may work with witnesses to crimes, criminal offenders, and victims of crimes.
Criminal psychologists are more focused, looking only at the perpetrator and aspects of the crime itself.
Forensic psychologists do not profile criminal suspects or create behavioral profiles of perpetrators. Those tasks fall
to criminal psychologists.
Careers in Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychologists must have a PhD or PsyD degree. In addition, forensic psychologists must have two
years of supervised experience in the field and pass oral and written exams given by their state board of psychology.
Starting out in the process of becoming a forensic psychologist, a person must earn a bachelor’s degree in
psychology, then proceed to graduate school. Some programs combine a master’s degree and doctorate into one,
which takes four to five years to earn. It’s also possible to earn a master’s degree, then continue into a separate
doctoral program in forensic psychology.
Note that to be licensed as a psychologist, it’s essential to have earned a PhD or PsyD.
The following are common careers in forensic psychology at the master’s degree level:
 Licensed Associate Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor. Counselors provide psychotherapy,
conduct assessments, perform intake screenings, and work in a broad variety of settings.

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 Jury Consultant. Jury consultants collaborate with attorneys to help seat the best jurors for trial cases.
 Research Assistant. Master’s programs in forensic psychology typically have an element of research
involved in them. This can be a springboard to a career as a research assistant. Research assistants may
work with psychologists or attorneys in collecting and analyzing large amounts of information.
 Juvenile Offenders Counselor. Youthful offenders have typically been victimized themselves and need a
great deal of support to help them avoid re-offending.
 At the doctoral level, the following careers are available:
 Forensic Psychologist. Forensic psychologists perform the jobs discussed above. They may also work
directly in the law enforcement system in jails or prisons as counselors. Within the corrections system,
forensic psychologists assess inmates’ psychological well-being.
 Psychology Researcher. Professional research is a popular use of an advanced degree in psychology.
There are many research and teaching opportunities in forensic psychology, due to the field’s ongoing
expansion.
 Expert Witness. Expert witnesses give legal professionals their input about the state of mind of an accused
person; can make professional psychological research material easier to understand for juries and attorneys,
and help juries view crimes in light of the latest research.
 Professor. People who earn advanced degrees are usually comfortable in academic settings, which makes
teaching is often a great option for people who’ve earned a PhD in forensic psychology.

CONCLUSION
Crime is like a pebble in a pond, affecting a swath of people whenever it is perpetrated. Finding those
responsible and ensuring an accurate and ethical legal process has never been more critical. Through their invaluable
work, criminal psychologists assist law enforcement in apprehending responsible parties and help further educate
about the criminal mind. Many people use the terms criminal and forensic psychologist interchangeably. People can
identify as one or the other and engage in the same duties. However, there are some relevant distinctions. If you are
talking about profiling a criminal that is likely the realm of criminal psychology. Most assessment is done by a
forensic psychologist but it is not impossible for someone who identifies as a criminal psychologist to perform
testing. Forensic psychology is a growing field, with solid expansion on the horizon past 2026. As long as people
interact with the justice system, there will be job opportunities available for those in forensic psychology.

REFERENCES
 Criminal Psychology (Topics in Applied Psychology)-by David Canter
 Current Perspectives in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice-by Curtis R. Bartol and Anne
M. Bartol
 Criminal Psychology: Nature, Nurture, Culture:-by Ph.d. Miller, Laurence
 Forensic Psychology for Dummies-by David V. Canter and Ian Rankin
 Forensic Psychology: A Very Short Introduction-by David Canter, Ken Kliban
 Forensic Science In Criminal Investigation And Trials -by B R Sharma
 Forensic Science: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides)-by Jay Siegel
 SOCIAL MEDIA-ICT

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